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In this article, we’ll give you tips on how to store your wine bottles properly.
Storing wine bottles properly is an important topic for wine lovers. Poor storage can affect the wine’s quality and taste, which can be a major disappointment for anyone who has invested time and money in buying wine bottles. Oeni’s Sommelier introduces the 8 key tips for storing your wine bottles well.
1. Control the temperature
Temperature is one of the most important factors in wine storage. The ideal storage temperature for wine is 12°C to 14°C. It’s important to keep the temperature constant to avoid fluctuations that can damage the wine.
If you don’t have a wine cellar, you can store your bottles in a room in the house that isn’t too hot or too cold, such as a cellar or a closet. Avoid storing your wine bottles in a room exposed to direct sunlight or heat sources like radiators.
2. Control the humidity
Humidity is also important for wine storage. A humidity level of 70% is ideal for keeping corks in good condition. If humidity is too low, corks can dry out and crack, allowing air to enter the bottle and oxidize the wine. If humidity is too high, labels can deteriorate and paper can peel away.
If you store your wine bottles in a cellar or closet, it’s important to keep humidity steady by using a humidifier. If humidity is too high, you can use silica gel packets to absorb excess moisture.
3. Store bottles horizontally
Most wine bottles are sealed with corks. Horizontal storage keeps the wine in contact with the cork, which keeps it moist and supple. If the cork dries out, it can shrink and allow air to enter the bottle, which will oxidize the wine.
4. Avoid vibrations
Vibrations can stir up sediment in the wine bottle and disrupt the aging process. Vibrations can also move the corks, which may damage the seal.
To avoid vibrations, it’s best to store wine bottles somewhere with no movement or shaking, such as a cellar or closet. Avoid storing wine bottles near noisy appliances like refrigerators or washing machines.
5. Avoid direct sunlight
Direct sunlight can affect wine quality by speeding up the aging process and causing premature oxidation. Wine bottles should therefore be stored in a dark place, away from direct sunlight.
If you don’t have a wine cellar, you can store your bottles in a closet or cabinet that doesn’t receive direct sunlight. If you need to store your wine bottles somewhere where light is unavoidable, you can use protective covers to shield them from the light.
6. Avoid strong odors
Wine can absorb the odors and flavors of nearby food and chemicals, which can alter its taste and quality. It’s therefore important to avoid storing wine bottles somewhere with strong odors or chemicals.
Avoid storing your wine bottles near chemicals such as cleaning products or insecticides. Also avoid storing wine bottles in a place where there are pungent foods like garlic or onions.
7. Keep track of your inventory with Oeni
It’s important to keep track of your wine bottle inventory so you don’t store bottles for too long or lose track of them. You can use a manual tracking system or the Oeni app (available on iOS and Android) to keep track of your inventory.
It’s also important to note the purchase date and price of your wine bottles so you know how long to keep them and when to drink them.
8. Drink wines at the right time with Oeni
Most wines don’t improve with age and should be consumed within a reasonable period. It’s therefore important to drink your wine bottles at the right time so you don’t let them deteriorate.
How long wine keeps depends on the type of wine, the quality of the wine, and the storage conditions. In general, red wines can be kept for 2 to 10 years, while white and rosé wines should be consumed within 1 to 3 years of purchase.
Storing wine bottles properly is essential to preserving the wine’s quality and taste. By following the tips above, you can make sure your wine bottles are stored in the best possible conditions. Keep track of your inventory and drink wines at the right time to avoid wasting money and letting bottles deteriorate.
